Deadline

TLC has had enough of Kat Von D -- the network has announced her reality show "LA Ink" has officially been canceled.

A rep for TLC just released a statement, claiming, the network "has decided that the current season of LA Ink will be its last." The final episode will air next month.

The rep adds, "The network is proud of what the series has accomplished in its four seasons, following Kat Von D's journey as an artist from Miami to Los Angeles."

The show originally premiered in 2007 -- and got a small ratings boost last month, after Kat split from Jesse James. But apparently it wasn't enough.

1:55 PM: Kat posted a statement on Twitter claiming SHE made the decision to end "L.A. Ink" ... not TLC ... and insinuates the network is spinning the truth to make her look bad.

David Carradine's wife has just settled her case against the production company of the movie David was shooting when he died of auto-erotic asphyxiation ... TMZ has learned.

Anne Carradine had sued MK2 Productions, claiming they had a duty to supervise David while he was on the shoot for the movie, "Stretch." Anne claims the night David died in his Thailand hotel room, the production staff had gone to dinner and told David he would have to make his own arrangements for the evening.

Sources tell us that MK2 paid Anne money to settle. And, we're told the other defendants -- including the hotel and insurance company have settled as well.

In all, sources say Anne will get around $400,000 from the defendants.

Gerard Depardieu unloaded on an Air France jet Tuesday ... as in he pissed in the aisle.

Depardieu was on the ground in Paris, waiting for his plane to take off for Dublin, but a delay on the ground proved too much for the actor.

Depardieu told the flight attendant, "Je veux pisser," -- I have to pee -- but she was unmoved ... telling the famous Frenchie he would have to wait 15 minutes because the flight was about to take off.

According to witnesses, Depardieu unzipped his pants and pissed on the aisle carpet.

The jet returned to the gate and it took nearly 2 hours for the ground crew to clean up the mess.

Depardieu was escorted off the plane and it's unclear if authorities will take action against him. Witnesses say the actor was intoxicated.

The actor's reps could not be reached for comment.

There has been a buzz about a mysterious injury Taylor Armstrong suffered just 4 days before her estranged husband, Russell, committed suicide, but Taylor's friends insist the cut above her eye was not inflicted by him.

Taylor's friends tell TMZ ... the injury occurred while she was playing a game of football.

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Taylor Armstrong was at her estranged husband's house when his body was discovered, TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Taylor tell us, she and Russell had been regularly communicating and were supposed to meet on Monday afternoon, but he was a no-show. She became worried and began calling his friends, but none of them had heard from him.

Taylor became increasingly alarmed and began frantically texting and phoning Russell, to no avail.

On Monday evening, Taylor and a friend went to the home where Russell was staying. They found the owner of the home on the property. While Taylor watched, the owner peered through Russell's bedroom window and saw his lifeless body hanging.

As TMZ first reported, the owner called 911 and Russell was declared dead at 8:16 PM. Taylor believes Russell had been dead for hours.

We're told Taylor stayed at the house for hours after the body was found.

"Welcome Back Kotter" star Gabe Kaplan is forking over almost half his winnings from those Hollywood poker games involving a ponzi crook, Tobey Maguire, and several other big name celebs.

Kaplan was one of the defendants in the lawsuits filed earlier this year ... by a bankruptcy trustee trying to recover cash convicted ponzi schemer Bradley Ruderman lost in the high-stakes poker tournaments.

According to court documents filed last week -- Kaplan won a total of $62,000 from Ruderman ... but as part of a settlement he's agreeing to return $27,900 to the trustee.

Tobey is fighting the lawsuit against him and has refused to hand over any of his winnings.

Kaplan's proposed settlement was submitted to the judge on Friday, but has not been approved yet.

A sailor caught in the web of Dateline's "To Catch a Predator" was just acquitted of all charges, after the judge ruled NBC engaged in entrapment.

Joseph Roisman was prosecuted for lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor, after allegedly arranging a meeting with someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl.

Judge Arthur Wick in Sonoma County, California, threw the case out after the prosecution presented its case, ruling prosecutors failed to prove Roisman had an intent to have sex with the decoy.

Roisman's lawyer, L. Stephen Turer, lashed out at the tactics of the people responsible for "To Catch a Predator," saying "They took everything away from this kid just to make a TV show."

Turer added, "This case is the poster child for the abuse in this program."

There were 29 arrests as a result of the Dateline sting. 28 of the defendants pled guilty without going to trial. This is the only case of the 29 that went to trial, and Dateline's tactics were squarely repudiated.

Gerard Butler and a slew of other stars have been sued for allegedly stiffing two former employees out of overtime pay at a Hollywood restaurant the celebs co-own.

The ex-workers -- a cook and a dishwasher -- at Shin BBQ filed the suit today in Los Angeles County Superior Court ... claiming the owners cheated them out of wages, rest time, and meal breaks.

Shin BBQ is a popular Korean barbeque joint in Hollywood ... co-owned by Gerard, Danny and Chris Masterson, Laura Prepon, and several others including Steve Aoki -- whose father Rocky founded Benihana.

The workers are asking for their back pay, other damages, and an order forcing the restaurant owners to open their payroll books.

Silence is golden for "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" -- TMZ has learned, Bravo just instructed the entire cast ... NO talking to the media about Russell Armstrong's suicide ... whatsoever.

Sources connected with the show tell TMZ, each cast member received both a phone call and an email from Bravo just hours after news broke about Russell's death -- ordering them to keep their mouths shut.

But the new directive isn't holding up production -- we're told, shooting is set to resume tomorrow as scheduled.

Right now, it's unclear if Taylor will also be returning to work at the same time.

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Taylor Armstrong hasn't broken the news yet about Russell's suicide to her 5-year-old daughter Kennedy ... TMZ has learned.

Friends close to Taylor tell us, "She's not emotionally ready to do so just yet."

Taylor's attorney, Robert Thorne, tells us, "Taylor Armstrong is devastated by the tragic events that have unfolded. She requests privacy at this time so that she may comfort her young daughter."

Russell Armstrong, the estranged husband of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Taylor Armstrong, was found dead of an apparent suicide ... sources tell TMZ.

Our sources say Armstrong hanged himself. He was found hanging in his bedroom on Mulholland Drive.

We're told L.A. City Fire Department arrived at his home and pronounced him dead at 8:16 PM Monday. Sources say a roommate found Russell and called 911.

We're told authorities have not found a suicide note.

Taylor filed for divorce last month, after she claimed Russell physically abused her. We're told authorities informed her of Russell's death last night.

He was 47 years old.

Story developing ...

8:13 AM: Bravo and the cast of "Real Housewives" were unaware of Russell's death. Kyle Richards was distraught when she saw the TMZ post, and Lisa Vanderpump was speechless.

9:29 AM: A rep for Bravo tells TMZ, “All of us at Bravo are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Armstrong family at this difficult time."

9:35 AM: Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... no drugs or alcohol were found in the bedroom where Russell died. He was fully clothed when his body was discovered.

"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Russell Armstrong was at his wits end over his impending divorce from Taylor in the days leading to his death -- and he was inundated with debt.

Russell's lawyer Ronald Richards tells TMZ, Russell had been staying at a friend's house on Mulholland Drive in L.A. -- the same house where authorities found his body hanging last night.

Richards tells us, "I feel bad because his credit cards weren't working ... He had tremendous financial problems."

Richards adds, "He was also extremely bummed out about the divorce with Taylor. As far as a will, even if he does have a will, they don't have any assets, so I'm not sure what there would be left to leave. I am extremely saddened ... I had no idea he was depressed."

Shaquille O'Neal is giving the movie biz another shot -- yes, even after "Kazaam" and "Steel" -- and this time he wants to be a director!

Shaq is about to complete the Filmmaking Conservatory at the New York Film Academy's branch at Universal Studios Hollywood. Shaq's been very hands-on during directing and cinematography classes -- walking his crew through stunts (above photo) ... and shooting on the studio's famous back lot (see the video below).

According to the school, Shaq has been "incredibly humble, funny, and likable" ... or just the usual Shaq.

How big do they make those director's chairs anyway?

Cops swarmed Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' block in Beverly Hills yesterday -- armed with a full arsenal of heavy artillery, including assault rifles -- and we're told ... it was all over some missing tools.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, cops were called for an alleged burglary at a nearby construction site -- on the same block as T&K -- and police descended in full force.

We're told cops paid a visit to the surrounding homes -- including the Cruises' -- but came up empty.

Will Smith beat the holy hell out of his kickboxing instructor recently -- crushing a training bag with MULTIPLE devastating shin strikes -- and TMZ has obtained the shockingly intense footage.

According to sources, Will is in the market for a new gym -- and had stopped by Brazen Boxing & MMA in Philadelphia earlier this week just to scope the place out.

Will stayed for a 20-minute MMA training session -- with badass Bellator fighter Jamall "X Factor" Johnson -- and we're told ... the actor's an EXTREMELY quick learner.

Gorgeous and ageless Halle Berry celebrated her 45th birthday (FORTY-FIFTH!) by taking a stroll on the beach in Malibu with her girls ... and her baby girl Nahla this weekend.

The woman gets hotter and hotter every year.